Door actuated clock winding mechanism



Aug. 4, 1953 M. GOODMAN DOOR ACTUATED CLOCK WINDING mmumxsm Filed Jan. 10, 1952 INVENTOR. Maw/s GOOD/VAN,

Patented Aug. 4, 1953 DOOR ACTUATED CLOCK WINDING MECHANISM Morris Goodman, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application January 10, 1952, Serial No. 265,899

10 Claims. (01. 5846) The present invention relates to mechanism for automatically winding a spring-driven clock in, for instance, an automotive vehicle, andis particularly directed to novel mechanism whereby, each time a door of such a vehicleis opened and/or closed, at a time when the clock spring is not fully wound, a turning force will be applied to the winding element for the clock spring.

The primary object of the invention is to provide means, including an element yieldably projected into the path of a door on a vehicle, or the like, and a driving train between that means and the main spring of a clock mounted in the vehicle, whereby the opening and closing of the door, at fairly frequent intervals such as are customary in the ordinary use of a vehicle, will keep the clock spring sufliciently wound. A further object of the invention is to provide, in such a system, safeguards against possible overwinding of the clock spring. A still further object of the invention is to provide a driving train between the door-actuated element and the clock spring, of such character as to permit the mounting of the clock upon a movable element such, for instance, as the hinged door of a glove compartment.

Still further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodiedin the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however,

that .the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is a fragmental perspective view showing one of the positions in which a clock is conventionally mounted on an automobile instrument board;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental horizontal section through part of a vehicle body, including a door, and showing the manner in which my winding mechanism may be associated with the conventional parts of such a body;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental section through the parts making up a ratchet clutch embodied in the drive train of the assembly shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmental section through the drive train connecting a plunger with a shaft, forming parts of the invention, to convert reciprocating movement into rotary movement;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but showing a 2 modified form of my invention adapted for use with a clock mounted on a movable support;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmental section through the clutch-actuating means of the form of invention illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 1, of Fig. 6; and v Fig. 8 is a perspective view taken substantially on the line 8, 8 of Fig. 6, parts being broken away for clarity of illustration.

Referring more particularly to the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be seen that I have illustrated a clock stationarily mounted in the instrument board |2 of a vehicle indicated generally by the reference numeral I0, said vehicle having'a door I mounted, through hinge means I5, to swing between open and closed positions relative to the vehicle body. At I3, I have indicated an element of a frame for the door I4; and I6 indicates a portion of the door which, during closing movement of the door, moves toward substantial juxtaposition with the frame element I3.

The clock II is provided with a conventional winding spindle suitably connected with the main spring (not shown) through which the clock is driven; and preferably the connection between the spindle l1 and the winding means directly connected to the clock spring will include a one-way clutch, in accordance with conventional practice.

According to the present invention, the spindle IT has fixed thereto a crown-toothed ratchet member |8 constituting one element of a oneway ratchet clutch indicated generally by the reference numeral l9.

A bracket or housing 20 is suitably fixed to an element of the vehicle body. A shaft 2| is journalled in said bracket or housing, and said bracket or housing will be so located, relative to the clock II, that the shaft 2| is substantially coaxial with the spindle IT. A crown toothed ratchet member 22 is suitably mounted, as illustrated in detail in Fig. 3, upon the shaft 2| for coactive meshing engagement with the ratchet member |8. The member 22 is fixed to rotate with the shaft 2|, but is axially movable relative thereto, being resiliently urged toward meshing engagement with the member l8 by a spring 23 sleeved on the shaft 2| and confined between the member 22 and a collar 24 fixed to said shaft 2|. A pinion 25 is fixed to the shaft 2| within the bracket or housing 20.

A plunger 26 is supported within the housing "for axial reciprocation relative thereto; and

an aperture 2! is formed in the door frame element [3 in alignment with the path of movement of the plunger 26. As is clearly illustrated, the plunger 25 is mounted with its axis transverse with respect to the axis of the shaft 2|; and a spring 28, confined between a wall of the housing and a shoulder 29 on the lunger 26, yieldably urges the plunger to project through the aperture 2! into the path of the door portion 16, as said door moves towardclosed position. A pin limits the degree of projection of the plunger 26. Said plunger 26 is formed, in an intermediate region within the bracket 20, with a rack portion 3| held constantly in mesh with the pinion 25 on the shaft 2|.

The operation of the structure just described will be clear. When the door M is opened, its portion It will be moved away from the frame element iii. If the clock spring is not, at this time, fully wound, the spring 28 will shift the plunger 26 downwardly as Viewed in Figs. 2 and 4, whereby the engagement between the rack 31 and the pinion 25 will rotate the shaft 2| in a clockwise direction as viewed from the right in Figs. 2 and l. The clutch element 22 will be held, by the spring 23, in driving engagement with the clutch member (8; and consequently the spindle ll will be correspondingly rotated to wind the clock spring. Now, when the door I4 is closed, its portion 56 Will engage the projecting end of the plunger 26 to return said plunger to the illustrated position, against the tendency of the spring 28. if a one-way clutch is, in accordance with conventional practice, in-

corporated in the driving train between the spinv die H and the clock spring, the spindle 11 will partake of the counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft 2! which results from such retrograde movement of the plunger 28. If, however, no such clutch is embodied in t train, ount rclockwise rotationof the shaft 2! will cause the teeth of the clutch member 22 to click past the teeth of the member ill, the spring 23 permitting the member 22 to be cammed toward the right as its teeth pass those of the clutch member 18.

Of course, if the door hi is opened at a time when the clock spring is fully wound, the spindle 17 will be held against rotation by aiorce which is sufficient to overcome the expansive tendency of the spring 26, and the plunger 25 will simply remain in its illustrated position. The advantage of this arrangement, under which spring-winding force is applied to the spindle 11 only by move.- ment of the plunger 26 under the influence of the spring 28, and no winding force is applied to the spindle when the plunger 25 is moved positively by the door M, will be readily apparent. If, on the contrary, that movement of the plunger 26 enforced by the positive action of the door M were directly applied vto the spindle I! to turn the same in a spring-winding direction, it will be obvious that something would be broken upon closure of the door In at a time when the clock spring was fully wound. Of course, a slipping clutch could be introduced to prevent such damage, but at increased manufacturin cost,

In some models, it is conventional for a clock to be mounted in the door 32 of a glove compertinent, said door being i ed to. or s i ly associated with, the instrument panel I2. Obviously, the specific structure i l-St described would be inapplicable to such an installation. It is necessary, in order to apply my invention to such an installation, to Provide clutch means between the. shaft corresponding to the shaft 2|, and the clock winding spindle H, of such character as to permit movement of said spindle I! out of alignment with the door-actuated shaft. In Figs. 5 to 8, I have shown a modified form of my invention, applicable to such installations. In this form, the clock II is mounted in a suitable aperture in the door 32 of the glove compartment 33. Fixedly mounted on that wall of the bracket or housing 20 adjacent the glove compartment is a tubular shell 34 whose outer end is closed except for an aperture 35 through which projects a clutch shaft 36. A block 31, inned to the Shaft 36 just beyond the outer end of the shell 34, carries a cam 39 adapted to enter a cam seat 40 which is symmetrical on diametrically opposite sides of the aperture 35, and which provid s a sharply-rising cam surface 4!, as is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 8.

A spring 42 is confined within the shell 34 between the outer end of said shell and a block 43 on the inne earl o he. shaft 34 said shaft en is f rmed with a cylindrical so ket 44 in which is rectived'the projecting end of the shaft 21 which corresponds to the shaft 2! of the form of invention heretofore described, The block 43 is further formed with diametrically opp sitely extending slots 45 in which are received the projecting ends of the pin 45; whereby the shaft 36 is constrained to rotate with the shaft 21', but may have a limited axial movement with respect thereto.

It will be clear that, as the shaft 2! is turned in a clockwise direction as viewed from the right of Fig. 5, the cam 39 will quickly rise from its 45), over the surfaces 4|, whereby the shaft 3 3 will be shifted toward the left, as viewed in 6, and will thereafter continue to turn, with the shaft 2! with its cam 39 riding the flat end surface of the shell 34. The parts are so proportioned and designed that the shaft 21 will be turned through something less than upon projection. of the plunger from its illustrated position to its outer limiting position in which the Shoulder 29 engages the pinion 25.

On its outer end, the shaft 36 carries a head 41 upon which is mounted a friction pad 48; and a similar head 43 is carried upon the spindle H, the arrangement of the parts being such that, when thedoor 32 is, in its closed position, the heads 41 and A9, which-constitute mating e men o a friction clutch, will be in re istry. so long as the cam 39 is located in its seat 40, the clutch elements 41 and 49 Will be spaced apart, so that the door 32 may be opened and closed without interference. When, however, the shaft 21' is turned sufficiently to cause the cam 39 to ride out of its seat 40. the pad 48 on the head 47 will be pressed firmly against the head 49, if the door 32 .is in closed position, and further rotation of the shaft 2 I will cause the spindle l! to be iven in a lockwisesprin -wi ing direction.

Where the conventional one-Way clutch is emodied in the train between the spindle H and the clock spring, the spindle may safely move, in a counter-clockwise direction, with the shaft 36 s the plunger 25 is moved in a retrograde direction by th d or [5- .If, however. t c ck II is not provided with such a one-way clutch, any su ab e form of driving conn .efiective in one direction, may be substitute for the friction clutch 41, 48, 49 illustrated in Fig. 5.

.I cla m as my invention:

1. In an automotive vehicle having a door and aclock, said clock having a main spring and an element rotatable to wind said main spring, a

member movably supported on said vehicle, means yieldably urging said member to a position in the path of closing movement of said door, said door engaging and shifting said member against the tendency of said means as said door moves toward closed condition, and means providing a driving connection between said member and said element.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said driving connection includes one-Way clutch means.

3. The device of claim 2 in which a spring provides the force yieldably urging said member to said position to be engaged by said door, and in which said one-way clutch means is effective to rotate said element as said member moves under the influence of said spring and is ineffective to rotate said element as said member is moved by said door.

4. In an automotive vehicle having a door and a clock, said clock having a main spring and an element rotatable to wind said main spring, a bracket mounted on said vehicle near said door, a plunger reciprocably supported in said bracket, spring means engaging said bracket and said plunger and urging said plunger into a position to be engaged by said door, and shifted against the tendency of said spring, as said door moves to closed condition, a shaft having a portion journalled in said bracket, gear means providing a driving connection between said plunger and said shaft for converting reciprocation of said plunger into rotation of said shaft, and means operatively connecting said shaft to drive said element.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said lastmaned means includes a one-way clutch.

6. The device of claim 5 in which said one-way clutch is effective to transmit rotary movement from said shaft to said element when said shaft is driven by movement of said plunger under the influence of said spring means, but is ineffective to transmit movement from said shaft to said element when said plunger is moved by said door.

7. For use in a vehicle having a door frame and a swinging door mounted in said frame and having a portion which moves away from an element of said frame as said door is opened and toward said frame element as said door is closed, a

a clock having a winding spindle, said clock being supported in said vehicle near said door frame, and means for actuating said spindle comprising a plunger mounted for movement relative to said door frame element and yieldingly biased into the path of said door portion, a rotary member arranged for driving engagement with said spindle, and a driving connection between said plunger and said rotary member, said door portion acting to shift said plunger against its bias when said door moves to closed position.

8. For use in a vehicle having a door frame and a swinging door mounted in said frame and having a portion which moves away from an element of said frame as said door is opened and toward said frame element as said door is closed, a plunger, means supporting said plunger for projection through said door frame element into the path of said door portion, spring means biasing said plunger toward such projected position iii) but yieldable to permit retrograde movement of said plunger by said door portion as said door closes, a shaft, means providing a driving connection between said plunger and said shaft, a clock supported in said vehicle and having a winding spindle, and means providing a driving connection between said shaft and said spindle.

9. In an automotive vehicle having a door and a clock, said clock having a main spring and a winding spindle therefor, a support movable relative to said door between a normal position and an abnormal position, said clock being mounted on said support, a shaft journalled on said vehicle near said door upon an axis with which the axis of said spindle is aligned when said movable support is in its normal position, a rack supported on said vehicle for movement in a direction transverse to the axis of said shaft, spring means urging said rack toward a position in which a portion thereof is disposed in the closing path of said door, said rack being movable against the force of said spring by said door as said door approaches closed condition, a pinion mounted on said shaft and fixed to rotate therewith, said pinion meshing with said rack, a clutch member arranged to rotate with said shaft, a mating clutch member arranged to rotate with said spindle, spring means normally separating said clutch members, and means acting, upon rotation of said shaft in one direction, to shift one of said clutch members into operative engagement with its mate when said spindle is aligned with said shaft.

10. In an automotive vehicle having a door, a spring-driven clock having a winding spindle, means for stationarily mounting said clock in such a vehicle, a housing, means for stationarily mounting said housing in such a vehicle, a shaft journalled in said housing and aligned with said spindle, a crown toothed ratchet element fixed to said spindle, a crown toothed ratchet element on said shaft and engageable with said first- I named element, means providing a rotary drive connection between said shaft and its ratchet element, said last-named ratchet element being axially movable relative to said shaft, spring means urging said last-named ratchet element into driving mesh with said first-named ratchet element, a plunger mounted in said housing for reciprication on a line transverse to the axis of said shaft, interengaging means on said shaft and on said plunger, within said housing, providing a driving connection between said plunger and said shaft, and spring means acting on said plunger to project the same into the closing path of the door of such a vehicle when said housing is so mounted.

MORRIS GOODMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,403,538 McCarthy July 9, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 164,588 Switzerland Dec. 16, 1933 355,719 Italy Jan. 15, 1938 

